The Future Forward party has set three pre-conditions to be agreed before the party will join the anti-junta alliance in forming a coalition government.
The three pre-conditions include amending the 2017 Constitution to allow for a new constitution drafting committee, deleting Section 279 of the existing Constitution which provides protection and endorsement of all executive orders issued by the head of the National Council for Peace and Order, and reform of the military to place it under civilian government’s control in line with democratic rule.
Party leader Thanakorn Juangroongruangkit told a press conference Monday that the party would not nominate him as prime minister in the post-election government, but would support Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a Pheu Thai party prime ministerial candidate. He stressed that Pheu Thai won the most House seats and should lead the formation of a coalition government.
The billionaire-turned-politician called on all anti-junta parties to “switch off” the junta-appointed Senate, saying that this would be the most peaceful means to clip the wings of the upper house. “If we allow the Senate to have a say in choosing the prime minister, Thailand may return to political conflict and unrest.”
According to unofficial election results, the Future Forward party came third winning about 80 House seats after winner Pheu Thai and runner-up, Palang Pracharath party.
Piyabutr Saengkanokul also demanded that the Election Commission (EC) disclose all information pertaining to the number of eligible voters, the number of actual voters, the number of ballots cast, the number of ballot sheets printed and the number of ballot sheets used in the election.
He said that the EC should not be concerned if it believes that it did its job properly and with transparency.